Page 68 of It's Only Ever Been You

She pulls her arm from my grasp, her expression hardening. “Ethan, stop. Please.” Her voice trembles, betraying the steel in her words. “This… whatever this is between us—it’s not going to work. It’s better if we just let it go now before it gets any harder.”

Her words hit like a punch to the gut, but I refuse to back down. “Why, Emma? Why are you pushing me away? Just tell me the truth.”

Her jaw tightens, her eyes darting away from mine. “It’s better this way. For both of us.”

“Better for who? Because it sure as hell isn’t better for me,” I snap, my voice rising despite my best efforts to stay calm. “You’re scared, and I get that. But don’t you dare try to tell me that what we have isn’t worth fighting for.”

Her gaze meets mine again, and for a fleeting moment, I see the cracks in her armor—the pain, the fear, the love she’s trying so desperately to bury. But just as quickly, she shuts it down, shaking her head.

“I can’t do this, Ethan,” she whispers, her voice breaking. “I’m sorry.”

And then she’s gone, slipping through the doorway and leaving me standing there in the garden, my chest heaving, my hands clenched at my sides.

Her words replay in my mind, each one cutting deeper than the last. I stand there, staring at the empty doorway, my chest heaving, my thoughts spinning. She’s running from something, but what?

I take a deep breath, dragging a hand through my hair as the cool night air stings my skin. She can push me away all she wants, but I’m not walking away from this. From her.

Whatever’s going on, I’ll figure it out. I don’t care what it takes—I’m not giving up. Not on her. Not on us.

Chapter Twenty Four

Breaking Through the Walls

Emma

The sound of laughter and music drifts through the open windows of the reception hall as I step inside, leaving Ethan behind in the garden. My legs feel shaky, like they might give out at any second, but I force myself to keep moving. My chest feels tight, each breath a battle as I plaster on a smile, hoping no one will notice the turmoil raging inside me.

Sarah spots me near the edge of the dance floor, her brows knitting together as she steps away from a small group of guests. “Emma, are you okay? You look—”

“I’m fine,” I cut her off, my voice sharper than I meant it to be. I soften my tone with a weak smile. “Sorry, I’m just a little overwhelmed. Weddings, you know?”

Her eyes narrow slightly, like she doesn’t quite believe me, but she doesn’t push. Instead, she loops her arm through mine, steering me toward a quietcorner near the bar. “Let’s get you some water,” she says, her tone gentle but firm.

I nod, letting her guide me as I struggle to keep my composure. The weight of what just happened with Ethan feels like it’s crushing me, and I’m not sure how much longer I can hold it together.

Sarah hands me a glass of water, her expression softening as she watches me. “Emma,” she says quietly, “you don’t have to tell me what’s going on, but… you don’t have to do this alone either.”

Her words make my throat tighten, and I take a sip of water to buy myself a moment. “I’m okay,” I say finally, my voice barely above a whisper. “Really.”

Sarah doesn’t look convinced, but she doesn’t push. She stays by my side, a small comfort as the reception buzzes around us.

But no matter how hard I try to focus on the chatter, the clinking glasses, the happy couple on the dance floor, my thoughts keep drifting back to Ethan. To the raw, unfiltered emotion in his voice when he told me he loved me.

Do you have any idea how much I fucking love you?

I squeeze my eyes shut, willing the memory away. I can’t let myself dwell on it—not now, not when I’ve alreadymade my choice.

“Emma?” Sarah’s voice pulls me back to the present, and I realize I’ve been gripping my glass so tightly my knuckles are white.

I force a smile. “Sorry, just… thinking about how fast everything’s happening. It’s a lot to take in.”

She studies me for a moment, her gaze sharp but kind. “If you say so,” she says finally, her tone laced with doubt.

Before I can respond, Sierra’s voice cuts through the room, calling everyone’s attention for the first dance. Sarah gives me a small smile before heading back toward the crowd, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I watch as Sierra and Jace take the floor, their smiles radiant as they move in perfect harmony. The love in her eyes is palpable, filling the room like a tangible force. It’s beautiful, and it’s heartbreaking, because all I can think about is what I’ve just walked away from.

But then my gaze shifts to Jace, and something doesn’t sit right. To anyone else, he might look just as captivated as Sierra, his smile wide and his movements fluid. But I know Jace. I’ve known him for years, and this doesn’t feel like him. His smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes, and there’s a stiffness in his posture, a weight in his expression that most people wouldn’t notice.

---